Picture yourself in these pictures …

walking where Jesus walked …

and gaining a deeper

understanding

of the Bible.

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Life of Christ Photos

: Tour guide Hela Crown-Tamir explains to our group the biblical events that occurred in this Roman theater in Caesarea. May, 2011.

: Tour Guide Arie Bar David leads Dr. Bill into one of three traditional tombs of John the Baptist in Samaria. The others are said to be in Jerusalem and Damascus. Summer, 1999.

: Gershon Salomon, founder of the Temple Mount Faithful in Jerusalem discusses a lavender with Dr. Bill that has been prepared for possible use in the Third Temple. Fall, 1998.

: The overgrown ruins of an ancient village as seen in 1998 was suspected to be Magdala, the home of Mary Magdaline.

: In 2010 archaeologists confirmed this ancient ruined village to be Magdala.

: The place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus is slightly above the upper end of the Dead Sea and where the Jordan River is rather narrow. On the other side is the Hashmonite Kingdom of Jordan.

: When Jesus said that a city set on the top of a hill cannot be hidden (Mt. 5:14), He probably meant Hippos located upon this mountain on the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee as it was the only city on a hill.

: Columns of the ruined city of Hippos lay everywhere and the Sea of Galilee is in the background. It was a rough climb but was well worth the effort (2011).

: A typical market scene along “The Cardo Maximus” in Jerusalem in the first and second century. Near Nazareth was the city of Sepphoris where scholars believe Jesus and Joseph sold their handcrafted wares in a shop as shown above.

: The worn path that leads up the side of the hill, to what was once the home of Caiaphas, is where Jesus walked before His crucifixion.

: Caesarea Philippi, now known as Banias, was the most pagan place in the first century. This is where Jesus took His disciples to ask them, “Who do you say that I am?” You will see the mountain-side niches where idols once stood and understand why Jesus brought the disciples 25 miles from Galilee to ask this question.

: You will learn why a fourth century pilgrim-tourist wrote that this hill top, located along the edge of the Sea of Galilee and the Via Maris, is the site where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.

: The reconstructed 4th century Capernaum synagogue rests upon the foundation of the synagogue where Jesus taught.

: Visitors walk through the Capernaum synagogue. The original synagogue where Jesus taught was destroyed, but it was rebuilt on the same site in the early 4th century.

: OUR LORD HAS RISEN! A visit to the Garden Tomb is a moving experience. As St. Augustine once said, “Jesus died for everyone of us as if there was only one of us.”

: At the reconstructed 1st century Nazareth Village you will see how Jesus lived during His years prior to His ministry. All buildings, garments, tools and other elements of the Village have been authentically reproduced. This place is a must see.

: When you visit the Bay of Parables at the northwestern end of the Sea of Galilee, you will understand how Jesus could have spoken to thousands from a boat with everyone hearing Him. The hillside around the Bay is a natural amphitheater.

: You will benefit from BIll and Paivi’s many experiences. He will make sure you don’t get disjointed by too much walking. :-)

: For many years a small mosque has stood over the rock on the Mount of Olives from where traditions say Jesus ascended into Heaven.

: This is the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher that many scholars believe holds the authentic crucifixion site and tomb of Jesus.

: A re-created flogging whip and crown of thorns is similar to what Jesus may have experienced.

: The Garden of Gethsemane has trees that are an estimated 2,000 years old.

: An archaeological dig in process at the Inn of the Good Samaritan (2001).

: Two Boys are dressed in authentic costume who normally perform various tasks at the re-created 1st century Nazareth Village, pose for this picture.

: Two boys with a threshing sled. The threshing sled separated the wheat from its outer protective covering.

: Did you know that Israel has more wild flowers than any other country except Switzerland?

Palestinian Photos

: While driving down the Jordan Vally road in 1998, I witnessed a shepherd walking toward a busy highway. He was followed by more than a hundred sheep. Amazingly, they rushed up to the macadam and stood perfectly still.

: When the traffic was gone, the shepherd gave a signal and the sheep dashed across the highway. These sheep really listened to their master’s voice. Do You?

: A collection of clay bowls ready to be fired.

: A Palstinian potter in Bethlehem creates clay vessels for Jerusalem shopkeepers.

: An incredibly crude furnace wherein the clay vessels are fired.

: A collection of his fine clay vessels ready to be fired.

Qumran Photos

: In 2004 our group was at Qumran when we saw Archaeologist Randal Price uncovered a large clay jug that he believed was dated to 31BC. It was empty, but in rare perfect condition. Since this was a new discovery and had not yet been documented, close-up photographs were not permitted. Later tests, such as neutron activation analysis, revealed that the jug was made from clay identical to clay in Jerusalem, and that it contained wine. Qumran is the site where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in eleven mountain caves.

: This cave is one of eleven caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. These scrolls, written between 200 BC and AD 68, fit into two categories: biblical and non-biblical. The biblical books of these Jewish people are almost identical to the biblical books of today. The non-biblical books present insights of daily life and use phrases such as “sons of light,” “sons of darkness,” and “the way” — phrases also used in the New Testament.

Jordan Photos

: The Treasury of Petra, and incredibly beautiful building at the entrance of a hidden city.

: Just east of the Dead Sea are the ruins of the famous Machaerus where John the Baptist was beheaded. It was one of seven palace fortresses Herod the Great built along his southern border in fear of Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt. Summer, 2000.

: The one mile long Cardo Maximus (Main Street) in Jerash. Summer, 2000.

: The unfinished hippodrome in Jerash in 2006 with an anxious charioteer.

: The restoration of the ancient hippodrome in Jerash. Summer, 2000.

: Gladiator Entrance at the South Theater in Jerash, Jordan

VIP – Very Important People

: A camel ride is part of experiencing “Abraham’s dinner.” Notice the expressions of the two riders while the camel could not care less. Dinner guests ride around the side of a hill to a tent where a delicious dinner is served as Abraham would have had.

: Barry Segel (right) explains the ministry of Joseph’s Storehouse and Vision for Israel. They touch countless lives, both Jews and Arabs, with the love of Jesus.

: We visited an Arab church where believers gather to praise our Jesus. Continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6) and that more will come to know Him as Lord and Savior.

: You will bring home many memorable moments such as floating in the Dead Sea.

: You can enjoy the unusual buoyancy of the Dead Sea. The water is ten times saltier than ocean water and, since it is 1,250 feet below sea level, it is difficult to get a sun burn.

: Visitors walk through the Capernaum synagogue. The original synagogue where Jesus taught was destroyed, but it was rebuilt on the same site in the early 4th century.

: Sometimes we go to unique places. Here tour guide Arie Bar David (right), rides with one of our guests as the group travels up Mount Hermon on a ski lift. Unfortunately, we didn’t find much snow in the summer, but we had a fantastic view of northern Israel, Syria and Lebanon. .

: Paivi Heinrich explains to the tour group where she lived along “The Cardo” in Old Jerusalem. It was one of several places where she lived during her ten years in Jerusalem.

: Paivi with her mother (right side) and friends from Finland in the Garden of Gethsemane.

: Our group is seated by a first century threshing floor as our tour guide, Eretz, explains its connection to the biblical teachings.

: To experience the Last Supper, our guests are seated at a Triclinium — a low “U”-shaped table. In this setting, the actions and words of Jesus to John and Judas demonstrate His deep love and concern for them.

: When you arrive in Israel, it is refreshing to relax by the Mediterranean or the Sea of Galilee. Yes, sweethearts are permitted to travel with us.

: In 2004 Rev. Bill performed a wedding for two special friends in Jerusalem.

: We will see some of Israel’s historic battle sites. In this picture, we are on the Golan overlooking Syria. This stop helps visitors understand why the Golan Heights is an important line of defense for the Jewish state and how vulnerable it is. Yes, it is a safe place for tourists or our guide and driver would not be permitted to take us there.

: Paivi has a love for animals. Here she is giving a donkey a treat in a date palm grove near the Dead Sea.

: At Caesarea, along the Mediterranean Sea, our group leaves the ruins of Herod’s palace to see the many other architectural wonders he built in this city.

: Eretz, our tour guide, presents a teaching while our group enjoys a ride across the Sea of Galilee.

: On the top of Masada our guide explains the model of King Herod’s Dead Sea fortress palace. This helps visitors place the historical and cultural environment into perspective.

: Like lost sheep, our little band finally arrives to where they belong. Sometimes hosting a tour is like operating an adult day care, but it is fun, inspiring, and enlightening.

: Finally the lost sheep have return to their fold (bus) in preparation to their trip home. They are looking forward to a return trip with Bill and Paivi.

Misc. Photos

: In the southern desert are hundreds of huge greenhouses where vegetables and flowers are grown.

: Paivi is holding two Jaffa oranges. They are not just big, they are huge and VERY tasty.

: The mountain’s reflection upon the Dead Sea illustrates the beauty of God’s creation. The Sea gets its saltiness from the salt mountain (left) that is 98% pure. The remaining 2% gives it the earth-tone color.

: The biblical “hill of evil counsel” is today’s home of the United Nations.

: Imagine yourself right here — enjoying a beautiful sunset along the Sea of Galilee. The Mount Arbel is shown, with the Valley of the Doves to the right, and to the far right is Capernaum. Yes, every tour stops here.

: Possibly nothing symbolizes the spiritual and physical warfare more than this Muslim shrine upon the ruins of Solomon’s Temple on the Temple Mount.

: Beyond the city gates of Meggido are the plains where there shall be one day a great and final battle.